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At a glance

  • Remote location within a private concession on the north-eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park
  • Seven luxury tents including two family tents with their own private plunge pools
  • Seasonal camp open between April and mid-November
  • Large concentrations of buffalo and elephant, plus excellent predator sightings
  • Children six years and older are welcome

Overview

Chikwenya Camp is located within its own private concession in the north-east corner of Mana Pools National Park, right on the border with Zambia. It offers glorious views of the wildlife-scattered floodplains and the broad Zambezi River, not to mention the stiff ridges of the Rift Valley escarpment in the distance. The seasonal camp (open from April to mid-November) is shaded by a forest of mahogany and albida trees, which shed their pods during the dry season, attracting a wide variety of game, especially elephants.

When to visit

  • January
    30ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    18ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    191mm
    Average Rainfall
    January is the peak of the green season, with hot sunny spells punctuated by spectacular afternoon thunderstorms, providing welcome relief from the summer heat. Birding is excellent at this time of the year, with many migrants in their breeding plumage. The landscape is green, lush and breathtakingly beautiful, though wildlife viewing may be a bit more challenging due to the thicker vegetation. This is breeding season so expect to see plenty of newborn animals. Many camps in Mana Pools close during the wet season.
  • February
    30ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    18ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    180mm
    Average Rainfall
    February falls into the green season in Zimbabwe and the peak of the rainy season. Days are hot and humid with rain always a possibility, usually in the form of spectacular afternoon thunderstorms. Game viewing is more challenging due to the thicker vegetation and abundance of natural water sources. Expect to see lots of newborn animals and plenty of birdlife, with lots of migrant species around. Many camps in Mana Pools close during the wet season.
  • March
    30ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    16ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    99mm
    Average Rainfall
    March remains warm and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Vegetation is lush, green and thick making it more difficult to spot wildlife. There is still an abundance of newborn animals around and bird watching is fantastic; many birds are in their breeding plumage and migratory birds are still present. Many camps in Mana Pools close during the wet season.
  • April
    29ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    14ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    29mm
    Average Rainfall
    April sees Zimbabwe emerge from the rainy season, making many of the national parks, including Mana Pools, accessible again. Temperatures start to cool down. Although days are still warm, evenings are noticeably cooler. Afternoon thunderstorms are still to be expected but are less frequent. This is the last month of summer bird watching before the migrants start their journey north.
  • May
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    2mm
    Average Rainfall
    Expect pleasant, dry, sunny days with cooler nights and early mornings. It is important to bring layers for those early morning game drives. The visibility in the bush improves as the foliage starts to thin out and animals begin to gather around the diminishing water sources, making game viewing easier.
  • June
    25ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    6ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    2mm
    Average Rainfall
    June sees the onset of winter in Zimbabwe. Days are still pleasantly warm, however temperatures at night and early in the morning can get down to freezing, so take plenty of layers. June also signals the start of the dry season and there is almost no rainfall throughout the month. Waterholes start to dry up and animals start to move towards the park's permanent sources of water, making for some excellent and varied game viewing. This is a great time for a canoe safari on the Zambezi, with pleasant temperatures and ample opportunities to view wildlife coming down to the water's edge to drink.
  • July
    25ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    6ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    0mm
    Average Rainfall
    July is the peak of the dry season. Daytime temperatures are mild, however evenings and early mornings can be freezing in some places, so plenty of layers are recommended. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with game gathering around permanent water sources and plenty of predator action.
  • August
    25ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    6ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    0mm
    Average Rainfall
    Days are sunny and mild without a cloud in the sky, though nights are very cold making layers a necessity. Landscapes are dry and game viewing is spectacular, with herds gathering around rivers and permanent water sources.
  • September
    32ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    13ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    1mm
    Average Rainfall
    Daytime temperatures are on the increase but evenings are still cool, so layers are recommended. September is another dry month and game viewing is excellent. Water is still scarce so animals congregate in large numbers around the park's permanent pools.
  • October
    33ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    17ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    27mm
    Average Rainfall
    The season gets progressively drier and hotter through October and temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees. However game viewing at this time of year is unrivalled. Dry grass and leafless trees make wildlife much easier to spot. Expect impressive concentrations of wildlife around permanent water sources. Hippo can be found at their highest densities in the river at this time.
  • November
    32ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    18ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    64mm
    Average Rainfall
    November heralds the starts of the rains, which tend to come as sudden thundershowers in the afternoons, providing welcome relief from the intense heat. Evenings can still be chilly, so it is advisable to carry a fleece with you. The start of the rains brings greener landscapes and thicker vegetation. Many animals start to give birth and this is an excellent time to see newborn impala and wildebeest. Expect excellent birding with many summer bird migrants present in their breeding plumage.
  • December
    30ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    18ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    175mm
    Average Rainfall
    December sees the return of the green season, with plenty of rain and lush, green landscapes. Days are hot and humid and evenings mild. Game viewing is still good, and you will see plenty of newborn babies. Bird watching is at its best, with many migrants in their breeding plumage. Many camps in Mana Pools close during the wet season.

Location

Chikwenya sits in a private concession on the north-eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park. There are scheduled charter flights to Chikwenya Airstrip, a ten-minute game drive from the camp. Private charter flights can also be arranged.